Students from six research universities participating in the University of Minnesota’s First in the World grant— which funds an effort to engage underrepresented and low-income students— presented at the annual Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota June 24 through 26. This year’s theme was “Giving psychology away: Sharing research through teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public engagement.”

Prior to the event, students prepared presentations on challenges they’ve faced and overcome to navigate college life. At the summit, students discussed relevant research findings and pedagogical ideas and shared social action best practices from their participation in First in the World projects. The conference ended with students presenting their perspectives on community and university engagement to participating faculty members and educators from across the country. Findings from their presentation will be used to develop new programming or modify existing programming to more effectively support underrepresented and low-income students.

The University of Minnesota’s First in the World grant funds the development and implementation of enhanced community-based learning experiences that increase academic engagement and sense of belonging for underrepresented and low-income students at six research universities— the University of Minnesota, City University of New York, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of California Santa Cruz, the University of Memphis, and the University of Georgia.